Jo Ann Ross, the primary lady to run a broadcast TV community’s ad-sales efforts and one of many final senior ad-sales executives within the TV trade to carry direct relationships with advertisers when primetime broadcast applications have been seen as the first venue for Madison Avenue’s {dollars}, is leaving the trade, stepping down from her function as chairman of Paramount International‘s advert gross sales division on the finish of April.

Ross had already stepped again from each day duties, ceding that function to John Halley, who was named president of advert gross sales for the corporate in 2022. However her relationships with key sponsors have been seen as useful, as have been the ties a lot of her senior executives had with media companies and advertising and marketing executives. She has stayed on at Paramount in a key advisory function.

“Jo Ann has steered our promoting enterprise from one milestone to the subsequent. She oversaw the profitable integration and evolution of our mixed advert gross sales group within the midst of the pandemic. She was additionally instrumental in reimagining our Upfront final yr, a format that others have tried to copy,” mentioned Bob Bakish, Paramount’s CEO, in a memo issued Tuesday. “Extra not too long ago, Jo Ann was important in our efforts to ship a historic Tremendous Bowl LVIII that set a report for viewership and gross advert income, topping off a powerful roster of storied Tremendous Bowls since becoming a member of CBS in 1992.”

Ross unveils her exit as Paramount treads an unsettled path. The corporate is alleged to be mulling an array of strategic choices, together with a sale, because it navigates a more durable promoting local weather and its relative dimension within the trade has been whittled away by opponents together with Netflix, Disney, Amazon and Apple.

Ross’ departure has been preceded in current months by key lieutenants, together with Linda Rene, who supervised prime time advert gross sales for CBS and was instrumental in growing product appearances in exhibits similar to “Survivor” and “Hawaii 5-0. John Bogusz, who ran CBS’ sports activities ad-sales efforts for years, not too long ago introduced his retirement.

Over a few years, Ross developed a repute as a Madison Avenue stalwart, somebody whose handshake nonetheless meant one thing at the same time as extra TV networks bought the majority of their business stock through algorithms and data-mandated viewers placements. She has labored to create new alternatives for feminine executives in addition to bolster the illustration of girls and women in media and leisure. She has e lengthy supported Memorial Sloan Kettering’s annual Cycle for Survival, the Reisenbach Philanthropies, the Advert Council, the Worldwide Radio and Tv Society, the Video Promoting Bureau and FourBlock, a corporation for veteran profession readiness.

“From the early days of creating unprecedented model integrations for now iconic franchises like Survivor, to the launch of Paramount+ and the expanded premium streaming video alternative for advertisers, to her integral function within the formation of our ongoing partnership with TNT Sports activities for the NCAA Event, Jo Ann has had an indelible impression that may proceed for years to return,” Baskish mentioned.

The “One Piece” live-action collection at Netflix is bringing in Joe Tracz to function its new co-showrunner for Season 2.

Tracz will helm the favored collection primarily based on the Eiichiro Oda manga of the identical identify alongside Season 1 co-showrunner, author, and government producer Matt Owens. Steven Maeda, who developed the collection with Owens and was co-showrunner on Season 1, will step down however proceed to function an government producer on the collection.

“Joe has introduced a wealth of enthusiasm and expertise into our second season that can assist take ‘One Piece’ to new heights,” Owens stated. “We’re extremely fortunate to have him as a co-captain of this ship. The very best crew on the seas grows bigger!”

Tracz most lately labored as a author and co-executive producer on the Disney+ collection adaptation of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” He beforehand created the Netflix collection “Sprint & Lily” along with serving as showrunner. He additionally labored on the Netflix collection model of “A Sequence of Unlucky Occasions” as a author and producer.

He’s repped by WME, Mosaic, and Hansen Jacobson.

“I’ve been fortunate to work on huge variations of a number of beloved collection, they usually don’t come larger or extra beloved than ‘One Piece,’” stated Tracz. “I’m an enormous fan of Oda-san’s unimaginable creativeness and I used to be blown away by what the live-action group created in Season One. So it’s a dream and a pleasure to come back aboard the Going Merry because it enters the Grand Line for an much more large Season Two.”

“One Piece” debuted on Netflix in August 2023 and was shortly renewed for a second season. The present proved extremely common with audiences, spending eight weeks in Netflix’s World High 10 rankings and debuting on the primary spot in 46 nations.

Iñaki Godoy stars within the collection Monkey D. Luffy, who sails the world along with his ragtag crew seeking the legendary One Piece treasure to develop into the King of the Pirates. Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero, and Taz Skylar additionally star.

Owens and Tracz function writers, co-showrunners, and government producers on Season 2. Oda and Maeda additionally government produce together with Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements of Tomorrow Studios, Tetsu Fujimura, and Chris Symes. The collection is created in partnership with Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios (an ITV Studios associate) and Netflix.

“Homeland” actor David Harewood thinks that actors ought to be capable to “Black up” for roles, however warns “it’d higher be fucking good.”

Talking to The Guardian, Harewood, who additionally serves as president of prestigious British drama college the Royal Academy of Dramatic Artwork, stated: “We’re at this unusual level within the career the place folks go: ‘Oh, you possibly can’t play that function since you’re not disabled, or you possibly can’t play that since you’re probably not from there.’ The secret is performing.”

He added, “Sure, we’ve received to be consultant, however I do assume now we have to watch out. That even extends to ‘Othello’ in Blackface. I say, if you wish to Black up, have at it, man. It’d higher be fucking good, or else you’re gonna get laughed off the stage. However knock your self out. Anyone ought to be capable to do something.”

Harewood’s feedback come just some weeks after “Star Wars” actor Billy Dee Williams informed Invoice Maher he believes actors ought to be capable to carry out in Blackface. Recalling Laurence Olivier’s efficiency in 1965’s “Othello,” Williams stated, “I assumed it was hysterical. I liked it. I like that form of stuff.”

Maher famous that “at present, they might by no means allow you to do this,” to which Williams replied, “Why?”

“Blackface?” Maher questioned, prompting Williams to say: “Why not? It’s best to do it. In case you’re an actor, you must do something you need to do.”

Final yr, Harewood performed white conservative William F. Buckley in a London West Finish manufacturing of “Better of Enemies.” “I knew the minute I walked on stage, 99% of the viewers was considering: ‘Why is he taking part in that?’ However by the tip of it, everyone was going, ‘Fuck me, that labored rather well!,’” Harewood informed The Guardian. “Listening to his phrases popping out of my mouth, many individuals went, ‘Why am I liking William F. Buckley?’”

Harewood additionally performed Romeo in a manufacturing of “Romeo and Juliet” when he was 23. The hostile essential reception to the present led to a breakdown. “Each interview I did was about my coloration: why are you taking part in Romeo? Do you have to be taking part in Romeo? Did Shakespeare write it for a Black actor?” Harewood stated.

The feedback from Harewood come at a time when the U.Okay. is in a febrile area vis-a-vis race. Final month, “Black Out” performances of “Slave Play” have been slammed by U.Okay. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s workplace as “improper and divisive.” And earlier this month, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who was just lately forged as Juliet in a London West Finish manufacturing of “Romeo & Juliet” alongside Tom Holland, was the topic of on-line racial abuse.

Metropolis Parks Basis has introduced the 2024 season of Capital One Metropolis Parks Basis SummerStage, New York Metropolis’s iconic outside performing arts competition, bringing 85 free and profit reveals to Central Park and 13 neighborhood parks throughout the 5 boroughs. 

Andra Day, Ethel Cain, Ghostface Killa and Kim Gordon are simply 4 of the artists slated to carry out.

 Returning for its thirty eighth yr, the competition will showcase established and rising artists from throughout the globe in all kinds of genres. The total lineup seems under.

Neighborhood parks internet hosting SummerStage this season embody Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Tompkins Sq. Park within the East Village, Herbert Von King Park in Mattress-Stuy and The Coney Island Amphitheater on the boardwalk in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, Crotona Park within the Bronx, Stapleton Waterfront Park in Staten Island, and SummerStage’s flagship venue at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Performances will probably be free and open to the general public, except for some ticketed profit concert events in Central Park. Extra data is obtainable at www.SummerStage.org.

“SummerStage is again for one more unimaginable season of free performances,” stated Heather Lubov, Government Director of Metropolis Parks Basis. “It’s all the time an honor to convey a lineup of each established and rising artists that commemorate the wealthy cultural cloth of our neighborhoods throughout town to parks, all totally free.  Having fun with stay music whereas exterior in a park is among the most joyful and memorable alternatives we are able to supply to New Yorkers, bringing neighbors and communities collectively for what’s all the time a really particular, shared expertise.”

 “We’re thrilled to as soon as once more have a good time the colourful range of New York Metropolis’s cultures and communities throughout all 5 boroughs,” stated Erika Elliott, Government Inventive Director of SummerStage. “Our lineup will shine a vivid highlight on a few of music’s most iconic feminine artists who’ve made an impression of their genres, from rock and New Orleans soul scions to Dominican merengue and Brazilian samba legends. We’re persevering with to assist rising artists from around the globe who’re showcasing their recent takes on numerous genres like hip-hop, Americana, rock, Latin, pop, and extra. 2024 guarantees to be an unforgettable season!”

The 2024 SummerStage season will characteristic ticketed profit reveals in Central Park to assist assist Metropolis Parks Basis’s free performances. Dwell Nation, this season’s official supplier of profit concert events, will current English singer-songwriter James Arthur on Could 17; Trinidadian soca group KES on June 8; Jamaican-American R&B artist Masego on June 19; prolific American rapper and file producer T-Ache on June 23; a joint expertise that includes legendary Mexican rock bands Caifanes and Café Tacvba on June 26; Indie singer- songwriter Ethel Cain on June 27; three nights of satisfaction celebrations that includes Trixie Mattell, Above & Past and others from June 28 via June 30; American rock/folks band Counting Crows on July 11; Irish rock band The Noticed Docs on July 17; a South African amapiano dance get together from Piano Individuals; modern worship music collective Elevation Worship on July 31; genre-bending jazz and R&B stars Robert Glasper that includes Yebba on August 1; David Cross and his Tremendous Buddies that includes Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Silverman, Fred Armisen and extra on August 8; different rock bands The Gaslight Anthem, Joyce Manor and Pinkshift on August 21; and hip-hop band The Roots with Jungle Brothers and Digable Planets on August 23. Extra profit reveals will probably be introduced all through the season.

Beneficiant personal assist for SummerStage is offered by The Thompson Household Basis, Howard Gilman Basis, Rick and Danielle Arnstein, Mertz Gilmore Basis, The Charles and Lucille King Household Basis, The Shubert Group, Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Basis, J.E. & Z.B. Butler Basis, the Mitzi and Warren Eisenberg Household Basis, and NYU Neighborhood Fund. This program is supported, partially, by public funds from the NYC Council underneath the management of Speaker Adrienne Adams, with particular due to Council Member Kamillah Hanks, Council Member Chi Ossé, Council Member Keith Powers, and Council Member Carlina Rivera; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; the New York Metropolis Division of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the NYC Council; the New York State Council on the Arts with the assist of the Workplace of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; the Nationwide Endowment for the Arts; and the Consulate Common of Brazil in New York. Capital One is the title sponsor of Capital One Metropolis Parks Basis SummerStage. Supporting Sponsors Safehold, Subaru, poppi, Guayaki Yerba Mate, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Brooks Operating Sneakers, Sixpoint, Fiddlehead, Wölffer Property Winery, Sunboy, Archer Roose, The Dermatology Specialists, United Airways.

Media accomplice assist for the season is offered by iHeartMedia together with Z100 New York, 106.7 Lite FM, Energy 105.1, KTU, and Q104.3, Telemundo, NBC New York, ALL ARTS and The WNET Group, DoNYC, WBGO, WFUV, La Mega, Relix, Fusicology, Afropop, ZOOM Media | Gymnasium TV, and Massive Display screen Plaza.

*All artists are topic to alter

It seems to be like No Doubt’s electrifying units on the Coachella pageant could have been an commercial for a Gwen Stefani solo tour, because the South Star Competition in Huntsville, Alabama introduced Tuesday that she and Blink-182 can be its two headliners. The pageant takes place within the metropolis’s John Hunt Park on September 28-29.

The ‘90s-flavored, 20-artist occasion additionally options Beck, Shinedown, Jane’s Habit, Chic, Goo Goo Dolls, Jimmy Eat World, TLC, Ludacris, Juvenile and the 400 Degreez Band, Large Boi, Gin Blossoms, Pete Yorn, Candlebox, Vanessa Carlton, Winona Fighter, Bully, Dexter & Moonrocks, and Billy Allen + The Pollies.

“The truth that C3 Presents is leaping headfirst into the event of our music ecosystem and the funding they’re making into Huntsville speaks volumes about our present popularity and trajectory in direction of being a world class music metropolis. 12 months one of many South Star Competition boasts a mind-blowing array of celebrity expertise that’s positive to attraction to a broad viewers and inject tens of millions of {dollars} into our native economic system. The epic scale and high quality of product C3 produces will elevate our total music panorama. Artists speak to one another about their experiences, and it’s apparent these artists have all heard good issues about Huntsville. It’s an thrilling time for music in Huntsville, and we look ahead to welcoming music followers and guests alike to John Hunt Park in September,” mentioned Matt Mandrella, town’s music officer.

Along with reside music, the occasion will function a sports activities bar on website that may present a manner for pageant goers to catch the most important soccer video games with out leaving the park — the area “takes soccer season significantly and so does South Star Competition,” the announcement states.

 The presale takes place Thursday, April 25 from 10am ET to 10:40am ET and costs will improve on Thursday, April 25 at 10:40am ET when the general public On-Sale begins. Tickets for Normal Admission, GA+, VIP and South Star’s Platinum bundle can be obtainable on Thursday, April 25 at 10:40 am ET at SouthStarFestival.com. Be it house, nightlife, or music – you’ll have a blast exploring this new frontier.

Saudi director and producer Osama Alkhurayji’s debut function movie “Siwar” just lately wrapped principal images in AlUla, the swathe of northwest Saudi Arabia comprising historical artifacts, a lush oasis and sandstone canyons that’s turning into a burgeoning native movie manufacturing hub.

“Siwar” entails two households – one Turkish, the opposite Saudi – whose fates turn into entangled resulting from a revelation about their newborns. Within the movie, AlUla stands in for Najran, the town in southwestern Saudi Arabia close to the Yemen border. The drama delves into the dynamics of how the lives of Yaner, a Turkish father performed by Serkan Genç (“The Recreation-Hiyleger Axmaqlar”), and Hamad, a Saudi father performed by Fhaid Bin Mohammed, intersect after their sons are swapped at delivery.

“Siwar” is the most recent Saudi movie to shoot in AlUla, following Netflix drama “The Matchmaker” and Saudi auteur Tawfik Alzaidi’s debut function “Norah” that – after premiering domestically in December on the Purple Sea Worldwide Movie Competition in Jeddah – will quickly launch internationally from Cannes’ Un Sure Regard part.

“Siwar” is being produced by Omar Mentioned, whose credit within the area embody the groundbreaking Netflix Saudi authentic film “Naga.”

Alkhurayji, who can also be a producer on “Siwar” by way of his Riyadh-based Hakawati Leisure shingle, spoke to Selection about what drew him to debut with a drama centered on cultural crossover between Saudi and Turkey.

What are the essential components of the “Siwar” story?

It’s a narrative about two households — one from Saudi, one from Turkey — who occur to be concerned in an incident and so they attempt to adapt to that occasion. Mainly, their two children had been swapped at delivery and wind up in other places. It’s about how they become involved with these completely different environments and the way they settle for the large change that occurred of their life. I’d say one of many primary questions the film tries to reply is: what’s id? Is it a organic factor, or one thing that you just develop up with? 

How did “Siwar” germinate for you? 

It’s based mostly on a real story that surfaced round 2012 after I was learning filmmaking within the U.S. I instantly thought it was a terrific story for a movie, so I employed a author named Rashid Al-Yani, who’s a cousin of the Saudi man that was concerned. He is aware of the story from the within. We wrote it collectively.

As I perceive it, the film was shot in Istanbul and AlUla. Speak to me in regards to the shoot.

Yeah we shot one week in Istanbul and the remaining in AlUla the place, due to the present governmental push to stimulate moviemaking, I bought a number of help. Because the movie is predicated on a real story, it must be very genuine all the way in which round. AlUla is standing in for Najran, which is the place the story occurred. I’d have filmed it there however, to be trustworthy, the town wasn’t prepared for a manufacturing like this and AlUla has lot of similarities with Najran, so it wasn’t onerous to make it very genuine. Authenticity is vital for this movie.

How complicated has it been to juxtapose Turkish and Saudi cultures?

Effectively, they’re two completely different cultures however there are some similarities, after all. We share the identical faith, for one. This is among the components I attempt to play with within the film. The Turkish household is from Antakya, which is a small metropolis on the border with Syria. And folks there are extra conservative than different locations in Turkey. The identical is true of Najran, which is a small metropolis on the border with Yemen with a particularly conservative tradition. So there are some similarities. However there are many cultural variations in so many different methods.

Inform me extra in regards to the cultural distinction within the movie.

I’d say, extra specifically, that we discover it with the characters themselves. Particularly with the 2 children. I don’t need to spoil an excessive amount of, however the Najranic tradition is extra of a Bedouin tradition [than the Turkish culture]. They encourage their children from a really early age to behave like adults. Children must know cope with horses — journey them, for instance. They should know cope with nature. So that you see one thing that’s very distinctive, very uncommon in children these days, and it’s not the case with each children. With the child who performed Ali, one of many two primary characters, I used to be very shocked that in virtually a month when he stayed with us I by no means noticed him holding cellular phone. Or enjoying a online game. He lives in a unique world.

As soon as he was upset and I attempted to calm him down by telling him, “Ali, take my telephone, go play.” He mentioned, “No, I don’t play with telephones; I don’t play video games.” In order that helped me, at the same time as a director. Most of our Najrani characters should not skilled actors. They’re actual folks from Najran who I dropped at make this film. I educated them. A few of them they, together with Ali, have been coaching for nearly a 12 months. I attempted to seek out individuals who really feel just like the characters I need to placed on display screen on this film. To sum all of it up, there are many similarities inside the two cultures but in addition a number of distinction. And I’d say that’s one of many primary components that I attempt to play with on this film.

This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.

Nation star Miranda Lambert has inked a take care of Republic Data, with the primary single beneath the brand new contract, “Wranglers,” set to come back out Might 3, and her tenth solo album to observe later this yr.

Though she’s signed to the pop label for future recordings, the deal includes a partnership with one other label beneath the Common Music umbrella, Huge Loud, dealing with nation radio promotion and advertising.

Republic, the house of pop superstars together with Taylor Swift and Drake, has indirectly signed many nation artists; the others on the label’s roster are Shania Twain and Lily Rose. However that doesn’t imply the label doesn’t have already got its hand in its nation market in an enormous method, by way of a partnership with Huge Loud that includes joint promotion for Morgan Wallen, the most important artist within the style for the previous couple of years.

“Music is and all the time would be the factor that drives me, however having a brand new dwelling has given me a starvation I didn’t understand I nonetheless had inside me,” Lambert stated in an announcement, noting that “Wranglers” “feels prefer it could possibly be on the identical report as ‘Gunpowder & Lead’ [her first top 10 country hit, in 2008]; it has that very same fury. I can’t wait to get on the market with this new label and this new music. Monte Lipman and his crew fireplace me up. … Speaking to Monte, Avery Lipman and the crew at Republic, in addition to Seth and the Huge Loud of us who’re leaning in, everybody understood my needs and imaginative and prescient for this subsequent period of my music. Aligning like that’s empowering; it offers you a license to actually chase it. Signing with Republic has impressed me to seek out the candy spot for me and all of the individuals like me. I can’t wait for everybody to listen to ‘Wranglers,’ and the remainder of this report.” 

Lambert’s announcement early Tuesday solved a riddle that started when she revealed to the world 13 months in the past that she was leaving Sony Nashville, the label dwelling she’d had for her whole 20-year profession, Sony Nashville, to change into a free agent. Lambert stated in an announcement in March 2023 that she “wouldn’t be true to myself if I wasn’t consistently on the lookout for the subsequent problem and a brand new technique to stretch my creativity. With that in thoughts, I’ve determined to say goodbye to my Sony household. I can’t wait to see what the subsequent journey holds.”

Followers knew that one thing was up — and an thought of the place she was headed — on Monday when Lambert issued a 12-second quick-cut video montage of previous hits with the message “Warning: Hell hath no furty like a lady scorned,” together with a cellphone quantity to textual content for future updates. The quantity led to a sign-up web page with a telltale Common Music Group tag, though that also left numerous wiggle room for which UMG imprint was touchdown Lambert… or imprints, plural, now that she has two sharing the load.

Pictured within the signing announcement photograph above are Republic’S EVP and CFO Joe Schmidt, founder and vice chairman Avery Lipman, president and COO Jim Roppo, Lambert, founder and chairman Monte Lipman and, from the Huge Loud aspect, that label’s CEO, Seth England.

Lambert can be headlining the Stagecoach Competition within the California desert on Saturday evening, in a present being livestreamed over Prime Video. With “Wranglers” not set to be launched till the next Friday, it stays to be seen whether or not the singer may premiere new music on the pageant gig for the stay and streaming audiences or maintain it in reserve for the official launch date.

Lambert’s closing album with Sony was “Palomino,” launched two years in the past this month. Throughout her tenure with that firm, she had No. 1 hits with “The Home That Constructed Me,” “Coronary heart Like MIne,” “Over You,” “Somethin’ Unhealthy” and “Bluebird.” She’s additionally appeared because the featured artist on No. 1 nation singles by Keith City, Jason Aldean and Elle King. She achieved one of many style’s highest honors when she was given the entertainer of the yr award on the ACM Awards in 2022.

In respective statements, Republic founder-chairman Monte Lipman spoke to their new signee’s energy as “each a consummate storyteller and legendary performer,” whereas the label’s president-COO, Jim Roppo, enthused about being “originally of a really particular second” as Lambert “places the ultimate touches on her incredible new physique of labor… We’re grateful to be on this journey along with her.”

That Huge Loud Data can be concerned by some means in Lambert’s profession was already established. Final fall she and her frequent collaborator Jon Randall introduced a partnership with Huge Loud to launch a brand new imprint, BIg Loud Texas, by way of which the 2 singer-songwriters will straight signal and develop expertise.

After Stagecoach, Lambert has different nation festivals and particular person dates booked by way of the tip of September. Earlier this month, she wrapped up her “Velvet Rodeo” residency at Planet Hollywood, which spanned 48 reveals that came about during the last 18 months.

In the course of the interval between leaving Sony and saying her Republic deal, Lambert had launched one unbiased single on her personal Vanner imprint, a duet with Leon Bridges titled “If You Had been MIne,” final July. She additionally launched a cooking/way of life e book, “Y’All Eat But?: Welcome to the Fairly B*tchin Kitchen,” which debuted at No. 3 on the New York Occasions bestseller record.